Chen et al. (2024) Wetland vegetation classification for the Murray–Darling Basin

Full description

Methods for using a standardized classification to categorize wetland vegetation communities into nine representative types across the Murray-Darling Basin. We first assess all current state-based and national wide classifications used in the basin. Classifications include the Australian National Aquatic Ecosystem (Brooks et al.,2014), the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) (NLWRA 2001; DCCEEW 2024a); and separate classifications for Queensland (Neldner et al. 2023); New South Wales (Keith 2004; Benson 2006), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT; Armstrong et al. 2013; Baines et al. 2013) Victoria (DELWP 2014) and South Australia (DEH 2006). Assessment is based on the principles of : adequacy of definition, consistency, information quality and reproducibility. Our purpose is to identify the most suitable classification to produce an integrated Basin-scale classification and mapping. After assessment, we adopted the New South Wales classification (Keith 2004; Benson 2006) at the scale of vegetation class as the most suitable one. From NSW classification, we identified eight representative wetland vegetation classes plus one additional Estuarine wetlands class for the Coorong and Lower lakes in South Australia. We then integrated the fine-scale vegetation units from each State-based classifications (Regional Ecosystems for Queensland, EVCs for Victoria and Vegetation Code for South Australia) and reassigned them into the most appropriate vegetation class in the New South Wales classification, according to their floristic composition, community descriptions, distribution in relation to hydro-geomorphological features and other habitat characteristics. We used ArcGIS Pro 3.0.3 (Esri, Redlands, CA) to map wetland vegetation classes. Original maps were projected to the same co-ordinate system of GDA2020/MGA2020 Zone55 and were clipped within the Murray-Darling Basin boundary. Map units and their equivalent vegetation classes were compiled into .csv files for joining with the original dataset. Dataset of wetland vegetation based on NSW wetland vegetation classification were stored as shape files using polygons to delineate wetland vegetation covers. These files contain information on original vegetation units, reassigned classes and their extent. Wetland vegetation maps were presented at a10 m pixel size.

Notes

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Significance statement

The dataset provides a simple standardised and reproducible classification for mapping and identification of representative wetland vegetation in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. It offers a basis for supporting wetland conservation and management.